The Guardian 1.3 of 1.5

3.

The oasis was plenty then on the dry land while the sand storms were rare but had they come, even the Gods would seek cover. But the emissary of Set were more harder stock, they plod on with their head down against the wind, taking each step as another step closer to the brigands. Soon their quest was to show results.

"I see five men resting by the trees. Their captives are huddled at the sands. I counted eight but they looked older than me." Karthum heard the words from Torak but he had done his scouting then. He had studied the brigands there; dressed in the pillaged clothes from the city, and drinking the wine also from the cellars of the traders.

He left no word to the boy while he crawled forward on his front. It was near dusk then and cold air was breezing in from the plains. He estimated that he got less than one sun stroke to reached and killed them all. If he was late, the cold might killed him too. Or the dark evils that roam the dark plains. Yes, the Stygian land was haunted by the lost wandering travelers, and by dark they resumed their search to leave or kill to sustain their nourishment.

Of the five, Karthum had decided on the middle one to be kept alive long enough to question. That one showed leadership and have an expensive amulet on his neck chain. It was last seen in the temple of Set. He did that with moving precision. He drew out his twin blades, and rushed in. He cut the inside left one with the long blade; pulling hard the blade out with the serrated edge drawing out the flesh and skin. The middle one charged at him but he lashed out a side kick to knock the brigand down. He then turned his body and spread out his hands wide. Both blades, the short and long one made their cuts. The brigands fell with their chest tore open by the blades.

The only standing one had lunged at Karthum with the blade raised up high. The brigand stopped in his tracks with the blade thrust into his rear waist by Torak. That left only the middle one who had recovered from his kick. He got up to rushed at Karthum but the later had side stepped from the thrust and slammed his right elbow into the brigand face. After that, Karthum had raised up his right blade and removed the brigand's left arm. Karthum then stepped on the brigand chest who was holding with his right hand on the severed left shoulder.

"The hideout?" Karthum stepped on harder while the brigand was screaming. "Tell me."

"I can't. He is more powerful than you. Than the Gods." The brigands shouted out. "You are a worm to him."

It was then Torak stepped forward.

"There are no worms among the Gods." Torak placed his hand on the brigand head. "You would however be one among them soon."

The brigand screamed out loud while worms appeared out of his orifice on the body. Soon he was covered by worms. Torak got up and walked to the captives. Karthum stood there and watched the boy. He was sacred stiff by what he had seen but there was nothing he could do. Or would do.

Karthum was broken of his trance The boy had stepped back.

"They would be fine. They would sleep with my servants protecting them. By day, they would be found by a passing caravan." Torak told Karthum. "I also know where some of the others are."

The boy stopped talking. He was looking at the setting sun. Then he went down on his knees and started chanting. Before Karthum could asked, the boy shouted out.

"Guardian, protect your master." It was then the ground near the oasis broke up in cracks, and the sands rose up to become mini twister. From one,m the wind created five twisters the height of man and as powerful as the tall ones. They came towards Torak but Karthum had stepped in.

"Stay behind me." Karthum had drawn up his blades. If these are winds, then he would kill it with the blade. If they are the works of sorcery, then he would need to be more assured that steel are the bane of sorcerers. The first twister approached him and Karthum cut with the blade.

"Do not cut it. Slapped it with the blade." Torak shouted to him.

Karthum did as he was told. When he shifted his hold on the hilt and slapped the blade side against the twister. It dissipate as if it was killed. Karthum with his fear subsided, charged at the other twisters and fought them off. It was then he saw the sorcerer or image of it.

"Guardian. I offered you a trade off. Serve me and have her back." The image of Sena appeared. "Or she dies when your master leave."

With that, the image of the sorcerer dissipate like the winds.

"You done good, Guardian." Torak told him as he approached the Guardian. Then he paused to looked the warrior he had selected. "You saw him. He had offered you something."

"Know this, Guardian. I could resurrect you but never would I control you. You may decide but do it wisely. If not, I would make my choice known to you." Torak cautioned the Guardian before walking away.

That night they camped at the oasis and ate their food in silence. Even the wandering spirits ignored them. By dawn they were on their way, leaving the captives to the coming trader caravan.

Their next destination was the nearby town of Shria, an outpost and sanctuary for the outlaws. It was managed by the trader, Kutai Ibni Masod, a former mercenary who found his stake as trader more fruitful. More so when it involved stolen goods and treasures.